Pet Legal Q&A Archives

My dog ran away, a year later we found him, but she won’t give him back.

A year ago, my dog got out of the yard while I was recovering from an accident where I lost my child. We searched for him but heard nothing. A year later, my dog groomer sent me a picture of him; someone had brought him in to get groomed. She informed the lady that she knows the owner and gave her my contact info. However, the lady did not contact me. The groomer provided me with her info, and I've been trying to contact her, but she will not respond. How can I get my dog back?

By Elinor Molbegott|2023-05-19T15:05:29-04:00March 20th, 2023|

Does my dog have to be neutered?

By Elinor Molbegott|2023-04-24T12:20:10-04:00March 16th, 2023|

Rescue group said my dog was spayed but now she is pregnant.

I adopted a Collie in August of this year from a rescue group and they told she had been spayed. She is 8 years old and very pregnant! Do they have to pay for all this expense and spay.

By Elinor Molbegott|2023-04-24T12:25:33-04:00March 8th, 2023|

Adopted dog who ran away.

We are a rescue group who adopted a dog out to people who informed us less than 24 hours later that the dog escaped their fence. They have now stopped payment on their check saying they don't feel that they shouldn't have to pay for said dog. We have a signed adoption contract from them. Is this legal?

By Elinor Molbegott|2023-04-24T12:38:23-04:00March 6th, 2023|

Shelter said the dog we adopted was a different breed.

We adopted a dog from a non-profit. It’s not even close to the breed they told us. We have spent thousands on training because we have a 3 year old in the house. Turns out the dog is mostly a Pitt Bull after doing a DNA test.

By Elinor Molbegott|2023-04-24T12:21:52-04:00March 5th, 2023|

My neighbor’s dog keeps getting into our yard and attacking our dog.

We have been having issues with our neighbor's dog jumping into our yard, even though our house is fenced. This same dog has even bitten me on the face and near the eye, and the neighbors have done nothing about it. A year later, we got a new male dog, a Pitbull mix who has been sterilized. However, I noticed that his mood and energy have drastically decreased and he isn't his old self. I later saw our neighbor's small male dog through the window trying to hump my dog, which ended up attacking it on our doorstep. This isn't the first time their dog has attacked ours. We have been telling the neighbors about their dog for years, but their dog still manages to get into our yard. I fear for my dog's life because he doesn't even try to defend himself.

By Elinor Molbegott|2023-04-24T11:56:35-04:00March 3rd, 2023|

Dog/Probate

My boyfriend and I joined homes last May and we both have dogs. He passed away in November now his parents are trying to take the dog. What can I do? I have had this dog for 10 months, during which time I have been caring for and loving her, as well as paying for all of her expenses.

By Elinor Molbegott|2023-04-21T20:05:26-04:00March 3rd, 2023|

My Friend gave me her dog now she wants him back.

My friend literally gave me her dog I have her old texts which have shown that she did give me the dog and I have witnesses of her saying that he is my dog now she wants him back saying her panic attacks got worse since he's been gone and keeps threatening to call the cops if I don't give him back to her and harassing to come to my property to take the dog I don't know what to do.

By Elinor Molbegott|2023-04-24T14:05:31-04:00March 1st, 2023|

Do I have to neuter my puppy even if I signed the contract stating I would?

Hello, My husband and I got a puppy back in October. Our puppy is 6 months old now, and I am receiving text messages / calls regarding our puppy’s neuter from the adoption company. We now don’t want to neuter him but I signed a contract stating I would. Thing is, we moved to California from Florida due to the military. We purchase him in Alabama. Question is, can I get in any trouble or is there something else I can do than neutering my puppy. Thank you!

By Elinor Molbegott|2023-04-24T14:03:56-04:00March 1st, 2023|

Shelter not giving me my dog.

Long story short, my property was broken into and my dog got out. She was in the general area of my house (just a few blocks away) when she was cornered and attacked by another dog on another property. My dog stood her ground and bit the other dog. Animal control was called and she was taken to the pound. Now they will not return the dog and told me they will hold her for an indefinite time to conduct an investigation. They won’t let me visit her either. What can I do?

By Elinor Molbegott|2023-04-24T14:14:18-04:00March 1st, 2023|